Toolbox with dual tool-receiving grooves and display in both sides thereof

ABSTRACT

A toolbox has a tool-receiving plate received therein. The tool-receiving plate includes a number of tool-receiving grooves in both sides thereof. The toolbox includes a first casing and a second casing that is pivotally connected to the first casing at one end thereof. Each of the first and second casings has an opening for viewing and displaying purpose. A glass is fitted in each opening to avoid theft.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a toolbox, and more particularlyto a toolbox with a tool-receiving plate having tool-receiving groovesdefined in both sides thereof. The toolbox further includes a glass ineach of two casings thereof for displaying purpose.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] A toolbox may receive tools of various sizes for repair andmaintenance purpose. It is common to put various kinds of tools, such asscrewdrivers, pliers, hammers, socket wrenches, etc. in a toolbox thathas a certain receiving space. As a result, it takes time for the userto find the desired tool. A further drawback to the user is that atoolbox that receives all kinds of tools of various sizes is relativelylarge and thus inconvenient to carry. In addition, the user cannot knowwhether any tool is lost, as the toolbox is not transparent, which alsofails to attract the customers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is the primary object of the present invention to provide animproved toolbox having a tool-receiving plate received therein. Thetool-receiving plate includes a plurality of tool-receiving grooves inboth sides thereof. In addition, the toolbox includes a first casing anda second casing that is pivotally connected to the first casing at oneend thereof. Each of the first and second casings has an opening forviewing and displaying purpose. A glass is fitted in each opening toavoid theft.

[0006] Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the inventionwill become more apparent from the following detailed description whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toolbox in accordance with thepresent invention.

[0008]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the toolbox inaccordance with the present invention.

[0009]FIG. 3 is a perspective view, partly cutaway, of the toolbox inaccordance with the present invention.

[0010]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the toolbox in accordance with theprevent invention, wherein the handle of each casing of the toolbox isin an operative position.

[0011]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the toolbox in accordance with thepresent invention, wherein the handle of each casing is in a storageposition.

[0012]FIG. 6 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 5, illustrating theother side of a tool-receiving plate in the toolbox.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0013] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, a toolbox in accordance with thepresent invention generally includes a first casing 20 a, a secondcasing 20 b, and a tool-receiving plate 10. The first casing 20 aincludes a first side 22 a pivotally connected to a first side 22 b ofthe second casing 20 b. A second side 21 a of the first casing 20 a isreleasably engaged with the second side 21 b of the second casing 20 b.In this embodiment, the second side 21 a of the first casing 20 aincludes a male engaging member 27 and a female engaging member 28 andthe second side 21 b of the second casing 20 b includes a femaleengaging member 28 and a male engaging member 27 for releasably engagingwith the male engaging member 27 and the female engaging member 28 ofthe first casing 20 a, respectively. As illustrated in FIG. 4, eachcasing 20 a, 20 b further includes a handle 26 pivotally mounted to thesecond side 21 a, 21 b that has a recessed section 26 a. When thetoolbox is to be carried, the handle 26 is pivoted to an operativeposition shown in FIG. 4. When the toolbox is to be opened, each handle26 is received in the recessed section 26 a of an associated casing 20a, 20 b (FIG. 1).

[0014] Each casing 20 a, 20 b further includes a receiving space 23defined in an inner side thereof. An opening 24 is defined in eachcasing 20 a, 20 b and communicated with the receiving space 23 forviewing and displaying purpose. A glass 25 is mounted in each opening 24for preventing theft. In addition, a periphery defining the receivingspace 23 includes a plurality of notches 231.

[0015] Still referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, the tool-receiving plate 10includes an upper side 11 and an underside side 12, wherein the upperside 11 includes a plurality of tool-receiving grooves 13 for receiving,e.g., sockets (FIG. 1), and the underside side 12 includes a pluralityof tool-receiving grooves 14 for receiving, e.g., spanners (FIG. 6). Thetool-receiving plate 10 includes a plurality of knurls 15 on each of twoopposite longitudinal sides thereof.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 3, when the toolbox is opened, thetool-receiving plate 10 is received in one of the receiving spaces 23 ofthe casings 20 a and 20 b with the knurls 15 on one of the longitudinalsides of the tool-receiving plate 10 engaging with the associatednotches 231. This retains the tool-receiving plate 10 in place. When thetoolbox is closed, the tool-receiving plate 10 is received in both ofthe receiving spaces 23 of the casings 20 a and 20 b with the knurls 15on both of the lateral sides of the tool-receiving plate 10 engagingwith the associated notches 231.

[0017] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the user may clearly view the tools inthe upper side 11 of the tool-receiving plate 10. The toolbox can beopened for use, as illustrated in FIG. 5. Referring to FIG. 6, the usermay also clearly view and use the tools in the underside 12 of thetool-receiving plate 10 by means of turning the toolbox upside-down.

[0018] According to the above description, it is appreciated that thetoolbox in accordance with the present invention may receive more toolsof various kinds and sizes in a limited space. The handles of thecasings of the toolbox can be moved to their storage positions when notin use or for transport purpose. The handles can be moved to theoperative positions for easy carriage to the user. The user may clearlyview the tools on both sides of the tool-receiving plate to check if anyone of the tools is lost. This may also attract potential customers. Inaddition, the glass may prevent theft.

[0019] Although the invention has been explained in relation to itspreferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possiblemodifications and variations can be made without departing from thescope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A toolbox comprising: a first casing including afirst side and a second side; a second casing including a first sidepivotally connected to the first side of the first casing and a secondside releasably engaged with the second side of the first casing, thefirst casing and the second casing together defining a receiving space;and a tool-receiving plate mounted in the receiving space, thetool-receiving plate including an upper side and an underside, each ofthe upper side and the underside including a plurality of tool-receivinggrooves.
 2. The toolbox as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second sideof each of the first casing and the second casing includes a recessedsection, further comprising a handle pivotally mounted in the secondside of each of the first casing and the second casing, each said handlebeing received in an associated said recessed section when not in use.2. The toolbox as claimed in claim 1, wherein said receiving space isdefined in each of the first casing and the second casing.
 3. Thetoolbox as claimed in claim 1, wherein a periphery defining thereceiving space includes a plurality of notches, the tool-receivingplate including a plurality of knurls for engaging with the notches. 4.The toolbox as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second side of the firstcasing includes a male engaging member and the second side of the secondcasing includes a female engaging member of the first casing.
 5. Thetoolbox as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second side of the firstcasing includes a male engaging member and a female engaging member, andwherein the second side of the second casing includes a female engagingmember and a male engaging member for engaging with the male engagingmember and the female engaging member of the first casing, respectively.6. The toolbox as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tool-receiving groovesin the upper side of the tool-receiving plate receives tools differentfrom that received in the tool-receiving grooves in the underside of thetool-receiving plate.